By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
Hundreds of households have been flooded in Makurdi, Benue State capital following a heavy downpour which started at the early hours of Monday.
Several inhabitants of the city have been displaced as a result of the flooding.
Some of the affected areas included Gyado Villa, Wadata, Wurukum, Achussa and parts of the North Bank.
Some of the affected residents were seen evacuating their belongings that was submerged by the flood when this reporter visited some of the flooded areas.
One of the affected residents, Terhemba Pine, said he failed to relocate with his household to the designated points closer to their area because he thought that the rain would no longer come again.
Pine, who is a landlord at Achussa area of the state, said he lost several valuables including foodstuffs and office documents.
“In my area, not more than a hundred of the inhabiting occupants were affected. The rain started at exactly 1:00 am and it took us unaware. From 1:00 am, it fell until 12:00 pm today (Monday).
“My children could not be able to go to school because they could not cross the main road leading to their schools,” Pine lamented.
When contacted, the Executive Secretary, State Executive Management Agency, Sir James Iorpuu, said the agency was fully prepared to respond to the needs of those who may have been affected by flooding.
Sir Iorpuu stated that already many residents who are living around flood-prone areas particularly in Gaadi and Wadata axis of Makurdi town have relocated to the Government approved designated camps in Wadata and Gboko road.
“As I speak with you, the technical committee on rapid response to flooding set up by Governor Alia, are currently at Wadata and Gaadi camps, and have started distributing food and non food items to affected victims.
“Those who have been affected by the recent flooding have been given mattresses and other food items.
“Today many residents in Wadata and Gboko road areas of Makurdi were affected. Therefore, we are calling on all those living in and around flooding areas to immediately relocate to camps.
“Like I said earlier, the technical team had gone out to access the affected areas. However, it will be difficult to immediately ascertain the exact number of people affected by the rain yesterday which has caused flooding in the state.
“However, I believe you must have gone out yourself to ascertain the situation before calling our office, so we are still appealing to vacate those areas not safe to stay for now”, Sir Iorpuu stated.
He explained that SEMA in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders have carried out adequate sensitization and awareness campaigns across major local government areas where farmlands and houses are always affected during floods.